The second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today evening at the Namo Ghat, Varanasi. The first batch of Tamil delegation comprising a group of students from various parts of Tamil Nadu named after the sacred river ‘Ganga’ reached the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi) today to attend the 15-day-long second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam. The group visited the temple of Shri Kashi Vishwanath ji. They were received with a grand welcome on their arrival at the Varanasi Cantt. Railway Station. During their stay, they will also visit Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

Six more groups comprising Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri) will be reaching Kashi to participate in the Sangamam during the event.

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, is the nodal agency for this event with participation from the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Railways, Textiles, Food Processing (ODOP), MSME, Information & Broadcasting, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, IRCTC and related departments of Government of Uttar Pradesh.

The overarching objective of this people-to-people connect programme is to revive the living bonds between Kashi and Tamil Nadu – two important centres of learning and culture in ancient India. It aims to bring these two traditions of knowledge and culture closer together while building an understanding of shared heritage and strengthening ties between the people of these two regions. The festival also has the objective of rediscovering and strengthening the ancient intellectual, cultural, spiritual and artisanal connect between the two cultures. During the 15-day long event, various cultural groups from Tamil Nadu and Varanasi will perform cultural programmes in Kashi.

Stalls showcasing art and culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and other special products of Tamil Nadu and Kashi have been set up. Cultural programmes combining the cultures of Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also be organized at the Namo Ghat in Kashi. During the entire period of the event, seminars, discussions, lectures, etc. will be organized on various aspects of knowledge like literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, ayurveda, handloom, handicrafts along with modern innovations, business exchanges, EdTech and other next-generation technologies. Apart from this, experts and scholars, local practitioners of various disciplines/professions from Tamil Nadu and Kashi will also participate in these exchanges so that a body of practical knowledge/innovation can emerge from mutual learning in different areas.

Apart from the delegation from Tamil Nadu, local residents of Kashi in large numbers will also be participating with great enthusiasm in this event. 

***

SS/AK